Matthew Kuhnemann forced to undergo bowling tests despite injury concerns

Australia's left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann is all set to undergo tests on his bowling action despite concerns regarding his thumb injury. He was recently ruled out of Tasmania's match against South Australia in the Sheffield Shield.

Matthew Kuhnemann was earlier expected to play for Tasmania in Adelaide in a match starting on Tuesday (February 18). However, the spinner was not deemed fit to play after the dislocated thumb that he suffered in the Bash League (BBL).

Kuhnemann played in both the Tests in Sri Lanka and was a key part of Australia's bowling attack. He hasn't suffered any fresh injury fortunately and the decision to rest him for the game against Tasmania is just a precautionary one.

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Matthew Kuhnemann to undergo bowling tests

According to AAP, Matthew Kuhnemann will need to complete the ICC testing in the fortnight as the injury is not in his left hand, which is his bowling hand. As a result, the test will go ahead as planned in the next fortnight despite the injury.

The officials haven't given any statements regarding the test as they want to respect the spinner's privacy. The biomechanical testing will take place at the National Cricket Centre in Brisbane despite the ICC's preference for the players to go overseas for testing.

Kuhnemann will complete the required tests under the supervision of ICC body experts with several markers on his arm and plenty of cameras keeping track of every step. He will be required to bowl at similar speeds and variations that he bowled during the Test series against Sri Lanka.

After the tests, the ICC will check whether his action is legal or not. The world body will take some weeks to see if his arm straightens by more than 15 degrees. It is believed that Kuhnemann is still in good spirits despite his action being reported after eight years.

Jordan Silk backs Matthew Kuhnemann

Matthew Kuhnemann's Tasmania captain Jordan Silk backed the spinner to come successfully out of the test. Silk called Kuhnemann's suspension a big surprise but feels that he will come out with flying colors.

"All we can do as a group is throw our support behind him. He has obviously had a fantastic couple of weeks away with the Aussie side, and was a big factor in them wining that series over there," Silk said.

"It's come as a shock to a lot of people, but all we can do as an organisation is wrap our arms around him and look forward to having him back around the group. He's still a quality bowler for us and someone we expect to have an impact later in the year," he added.

Matthew Kuhnemann in the Test series vs Sri Lanka

Matthew Kuhnemann is Australia's second-best spinner in Test cricket after Nathan Lyon and has grown in stature over the years. He has played 5 Tests so far and picked up 25 wickets at an average of 22.20.

Kuhnemann is extremely useful on spin-friendly pitches in the subcontinent and has troubled some of the good players of spin in his Test career so far. He was excellent during Australia's Test series in India in 2023 when he made his Test debut.

During the Test series against Sri Lanka recently, Kuhnemann emerged as the highest wicket-taker of the series with 16 wickets in 2 Tests at an average of 17.18. He helped Australia clinch a 2-0 Test series win in Sri Lanka.